Saturday, February 5, 2011

Mother Nature & Appetizers!

Ms Mother Nature has had quiet the sense of humor this year hasn't she? We live in Colorado and have actually had a mild winter this year so I really should not complain. I just want Spring to come early this year pretty please?

Waiting on a few more photos to come in for the Confections collection and then I can share all the goodness! I really need to get better about this blogging business. It is always the first thing to fall off of my plate when my plate fills up.

How about a giveaway?? I love to try new recipes and I am in need of one that is super yummy for tomorrow's Super Bowl! Post a comment with a link to your favorite munchie recipe online or fill me in on the goods of what to make and if I choose your recipe I'll send you some yuminess of your own!

34 comments:

We usually make a really yummy sandwich ring- which is really super simple! Just buy 2 refrigerated french bread tubes(We get Pillsbury) Form them together to make a ring, mix together egg whites, Italian seasoning, and a sprinkle of garlic powder in a separate bowl and brush on top. Bake the bread according to the instructions... Cool, then top with your favorite lunch meat, cheeses, and other fixings! :) It's totally customizable and delicious!! Plus not too much prep time so you can enjoy the big game...

The other day as an appetizer/munchie for my girls' birthday party I made this yummy olive dip. It is great if you like salty food (which I happen to love). Mix 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup mayo, 1 jar green olives (1 cup) chopped, and 2 Tbsp. of olive juice. I serve it with cracker sticks. So simply and tasty!!

My family and I love Espinaca Dip. It's great because you can throw it together the night before and then stick it in the crockpot the next day. It's great with chips or crackers. Plus, its something different that most people haven't had before. Here's the link to the delicous recipe http://www.food.com/recipe/espinaca-dip-fabulous-appetizer-285570

Here is a great munchie: 1 Package hot sausage(or mild according to your taste)1 package pepper jack cheese1/2 cup-1 cup of ranch dressingWonton Wrappers(you can find them in the frozen or refrigerated section of the store)

Brown sausage and drain. In a bowl, mix entire package of shredded pepper jack cheese, the sausage and about 1/2 cup of ranch dressing. MIx everything up and add more ranch depending on taste &how creamy you want it.)

Place wonton wrappers in a mini muffin pan and fill with the mixture.(makes about 30-36)

Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes until the wonton browns and the cheese melts(may need longer) just watch to make sure they don't burn.

Crush oreos and mix with softened cream cheeseScoop mixture with teaspoon and make balls.Place oreo balls in freezer to harden for 30 mintues.Melt the chocolate bark and dip each ball into the chocolate and cvoer completely.Place on wax paper and let hardenMakes about 50-60 truffles

Preheat oven to 350°F.Mix together the first 7 ingredients (this can be several hours in advance). Put 1 won ton wrapper in each well of a 12 muffin cup tin sprayed with cooking spray, letting the the edges of wrappers flap over the sides of cups. Fill with crab mixture. Bake 20-22 minutes, or until edges of cups are golden brown and filling is heated through. ENJOY!!

I have a major sweet tooth! I love to make different shaped little goodies with puffed pasty sheets. And it's easy enough for the kids to help! You don't need much - just frozen puffed pasty sheets, powdered sugar, and whatever filling. You have to leave the pastry sheets out on the counter for a bit to thaw before dealing with them. Then you can cut them into shapes (I have a football cookie cutter, but you can use them for any occasion) then I spread filling on top. Rapsberry or strawberry jam work great, but you can get creative here. I put another footbal cutout of pastry dough on top and put them on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil to make the clean up faster. Then you bake them according to the directions on the pastry sheet package. After I take them out, I sprinkle a little powdered sugar around like beignets. You can use a little chocolate icing for the laces if you have that lying around. I have a fleur de lis cutter for my team, the Saints. They look fancy and everyone thinks you did something awesome. Of course, you can make your own pastry dough, but who has time for that when you're getting ready for the big game?!?

Mary Kathryn and I have one of the same favorites - Buffalo Chicken Dip! I use Blue cheese dressing and double the recipe...because that 8x8 would last long around here!Our other always fall back appetizer is "Dump Salsa." You dump two cans of diced tomatoes, some chopped green onion, a can of shoepeg corn, a can of black beans, a small can of chopped black olives, a couple of cloves of pressed garlic, some lime juice, and LOTS of cilantro (because it takes the canned taste out and I LOVE cilantro!) - all in a bowl and mix it up. It's good just by the spoonful, or on chips with cheese and heated in the microwave.MMMMM - the best part about the Super Bowl - the food and the commercials!

This is the ultimate appetizer----I am going to share the super easy version with store bought meatballs- the other version is secret----

Coconut crusted meatballs with a hot apricot peanut digging sauce-

this recipe is for 100-

100 frozen meatballs-scatter on pans and cover in shredded cocounut (use whole bag)cook in over till hot and coconut toasted.

place into chaffing dish or crock pot

in a saucepan- add 1/2 jar peanut butter (any kind)full jar or apricot pineapple preserves (large jar- should be a 2-1 ratio of preserves to peanut butter)1/2 cup packed brown sugarfew tablespoons of chili garlic paste (I use to taste- want it tp have a kick- it will tame when added to the coconut)and heat through-

Wait - my husband just had more input - not an appetizer but a dessert - I make a brownie mix in a 9x13 pan and take it out of the oven about 10 minutes before it is done, then sprinkle the top with chopped peanut butter cups, Golden Grahams cereal, and mini marshmallows, and then stick it back in the oven for another 10 minutes. So good! Even better while watching The Biggest Loser :) - should I feel guilty for that? :)

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Refrigerate 2/3 of the bacon until needed. It is easier to wrap the wieners with cold bacon. Wrap each cocktail wiener with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar generously over all. Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the sugar is bubbly. To serve, place the wieners in a slow cooker and keep on the low setting.

Directions1.In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, dressing mix and mayonnaise. 2.Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on a slice of bread, and top with a slice of cucumber. Sprinkle with dill. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Directions1.In a medium bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, onion, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. Season with Italian-style salad dressing and garlic salt; mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors. Just make sure to use the jalapenos or it won't have enough kick...if you can't find diced, you can get the slices and dice them up...it's worth it. :)

Brown and drain the sausage. Add sausage, cream cheese and Rotel (not drained) to crock pot. Heat on high until cream cheese is melted, then lower heat to keep warm. Serve with tortilla chips. So easy and SO yummy :)

1. In a 9x13 pan, mix one bag of Monterray Jack and one bag of sharp cheddar cheese.2. In a bowl beat 5 eggs and 4-5 Tbsp. salsa3. Pour egg and salsa mix over cheese4. Bake at 375 for 30-45 minutes.5. Cut into squares when cooled a bit6. Enjoy!

Directions:1.In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter. 2.Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans. 3.Top the layers with salsa. Place a layer of tomato, green bell pepper, green onions and lettuce over the salsa, and top with Cheddar cheese. Garnish with black olives.

This is an appetizer favorite that is always a huge hit! It takes a little bit of time, but everyone will RAVE about it, and it is a nice change from the old appetizer regulars. Great for kids and adults!

I don't know how you are going to choose the best! I have been coming back here all day and redoing my shopping list every time! I just had an amazing dip at a restaurant tonight - Jalepeno Artichoke Dip - this is the closest thing I can find to what I had tonight - SO good! It was served with tortilla chips.http://www.grouprecipes.com/55333/jalapeno-artichoke-dip.html

Okay, this isn't a savory appetizer, but it is awesome! It's perfect for the half-time sweet tooth and so very easy!! Chocolate Caramel graham crackers!http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Caramel-Graham-Crackers-107612

Well this post certainly reminds me of the time when I worked as a waiter for a catering company. It was a great job but the pay was not enough for my mortgage. Now I am working from home selling import export goods online, mostly digital items and gifts for this upcoming Christmas. My profits have been looking great and I was able to pay off my mortgage also. Everyone can do this, work from home and earn big profits online. The question is HOW and WHERE to find info.

Followers

Come Visit!

A Little About Us...

We love the simple things in life.
Stopping to smell the flowers, dancing like no one is watching and even the occassional walk in the rain.
We love vintage style with a funky flair and promise to give you only the best right here in the good ol' USA.